Nikolo

Short film, AT 2026, Color.

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Director: Peter Moraldo

DOP: Markus E. Müller, aac

Production Designer: Lena Kalt

Editor: Alexandra Wedenig, aea
Cast: Clara Zajac-Pfeiler, Angela Schausberger, Andreas Radlherr, Christa Kern

Producer: Peter Moraldo

Co-Producer: Andreas Reisenbauer

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Int. title: Nikolo

Genre: Comedy, Coming-of-Age

Location: Graz, Styria, Austria

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Little Hannah has been looking forward to St. Nicholas for the entire year – but this time everything is different. Something is wrong with him. As the family celebration takes its course, Hannah has to make a decision...

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Director's Statement

With “Nikolo”, we want to tell the story of a landmark moment for Austrian children, namely when the safe haven of childhood suddenly begins to fall apart and the first steps towards independent youth are taken.

 

The first years of life are full of magic – for example, when children wait for St. Nicholas with shining eyes and are afraid of Krampus at the same time. However, at some point, they gradually see through this staging and realize that customs are more than just costumes and presents. This is also the case for little Hannah, who experiences the St. Nicholas celebration after a year of eager anticipation – until she begins to question its true meaning. 

In our story, we accompany Hannah at this moment of realization. While the festive atmosphere and familiar rituals continue, a new perception begins to emerge: the magic crumbles, but she discovers deeper values such as family, community and love.

 

Will Hannah be able to preserve the magic of tradition despite her realization? Or, as Michael Ende put it: "Nothing is lost... Everything is transformed."

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Subventions

Cine Art (Land Steiermark), Stadt Graz Kultur, Film Commission Graz, Stadt Wien Kultur (MA7)